Crushed by the Wheels of Industry

"Crushed by the Wheels of Industry"
Single by Heaven 17
from the album The Luxury Gap
B-side	Crushed by the Wheels of Industry (Part II)
Released	1983
Format	7" single, 12" single
Genre	Synth-pop
Length	3:43
Label	Virgin Records, Arista Records, PolyGram Inc.
Writer(s)	Glenn Gregory, Ian Craig Marsh, Martyn Ware
Producer	British Electric Foundation, Greg Walsh
Heaven 17 singles chronology
"Come Live With Me" (1983) "Crushed by the Wheels of Industry" (1983) "Sunset Now" (1984)

"Crushed by the Wheels of Industry" is the last single of 1983 from synthpop trio Heaven 17 which appeared on the album The Luxury Gap.^[1] It was written by all three members. The single was released in late 1983 and peaked at #17 in the UK, spending 7 weeks on the chart.^[2] This would be the band's last top 20 hit in the UK singles chart until 1992 which saw the release of "Temptation (Brothers In Rhythm Remix)".^[3]

Formats

7" Single

1. "Crushed by the Wheels of Industry (Part I)" - 3:43
2. "Crushed by the Wheels of Industry (Part II)" - 3:15

12" Single

1. "Crushed by the Wheels of Industry (Parts I & II - Uninterrupted single version)" - 6:58
2. "Crushed by the Wheels of Industry (Album version)" - 5:55
3. "Crushed by the Wheels of Industry (Extended dance version)" - 6:21

12" Single (America only)

1. "Crushed by the Wheels of Industry (Industrial Mix)" - 6:54
2. "Crushed by the Wheels of Industry (Album version)" - 5:51
3. "Crushed by the Wheels of Industry (Dub version)" - 6:17

12" Single (Canada only)

1. "Crushed by the Wheels of Industry (The Industrial version)" - 6:52
2. "Crushed by the Wheels of Industry (The Extended dance version)" - 6:20

Chart performance

Chart (1983)	Peak position	Total weeks
French Singles Chart[4]	34	4
Irish Singles Chart[5]	10	4
UK Singles Chart[6]	17	7

Critical reception

Tom Hilbert for Smash Hits wrote "Highly entertaining pop funk with sardonic 'woo-woos' and a cynical jab at society in general. Witty dance music with gromless backing chants and a piano that is everything that Shakatak isn't."

Number One magazine wrote "Thankfully Heaven 77 have finally clicked and make dance records that you can actually dance to (unlike 'Penthouse And Pavement'). Now their stylish sound is pure nourishment for the feet, as well as for the head and heart."

Paul Simper for Number One magazine wrote "The threesome did work pretty hard at getting a hit before with fine dance records like "Penthouse And Pavement" and "Play To Win"; "Crushed By The Wheels" is along similar lines and though still less than great it's easily the best of the three they've made as popstars."^[7]

Personnel

• Producer - British Electric Foundation
• Producer and engineer - Greg Walsh

References

1. ^ http://www.discogs.com/Heaven-17-The-Luxury-Gap/master/56820
2. ^ http://www.chartstats.com/release.php?release=10770
3. ^ http://www.chartstats.com/artistinfo.php?id=3426
4. ^ http://www.infodisc.fr/Bilan_H.php
5. ^ http://www.irishcharts.ie/
6. ^ http://www.chartstats.com/
7. ^ http://www.heaven17.de/reviews/h17rev11.htm